This Is What the High Road Looks Like

I’m always hesitant to write a political post, especially one that isn’t at all political but could be construed as such. But I’m compelled to do so anyway today.

Not long ago, I learned about a video from the 2008 presidential election campaign trail that I’d never seen before. It’s a town hall where John McCain twice has the opportunity to stoke unfounded fears about then-Senator Barack Obama…and both times McCain responds with a level of decency that is almost unheard of in US politics.

I’ll let you watch the video below if you haven’t seen it, here’s a quote from McCain at the town hall, “He’s (Obama) is a decent, family man, a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues, and that’s what this campaign is all about.”

I didn’t vote for Senator McCain, but I respect the heck out of him taking the high road when he could have instead riled up the crowd by attacking Obama’s character. He treated his opponent like a human instead of tossing him to the crowd like a pinata.

I’m writing this today because Senator McCain was diagnosed with a pretty nasty brain tumor today. I believe in celebrating a person’s goodness while they’re still with us, and I don’t know how long that’ll be the case with Senator McCain. I wish him the best, and I appreciate the example he set at this town hall.

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